Arsenal America

State of Arsenal Nation, Part IIc

Now let?s look at the defense. I think most would agree that this is where things went pear-shaped. Injuries, age, inexperience, lack of continuity. They all added up to cost us dearly in some key situations.

Sol Campbell ? Not a lot of complaints here. Sol has fit in well and does a fine job. I don?t get the feeling he?ll ever be the legend/inspirational leader that Tony Adams was, but I don?t recall him ever saying he was going to be. We knew what we were getting when we got him and he?s pretty much delivered.

Martin Keown ? Many solid years of service to the club, he adds a bit of tough edge to our otherwise ?continental? (read: soft) side. But age and his own limited skills have caught up with him. It?s time for Martin, and Arsenal, to move on.

Ashley Cole ? A solid player, gifted at going forward. He should be an automatic starter in our side for years to come. I?d like to see him focus more on his defensive skills though.

Lauren ? Really deserves credit for playing a decent right back. Will never make the All-Premiership First XI, but is a solid guy. I never hear him pissing and moaning, getting drunk or shooting his mouth off.

Pascal Cygan ? Received a lot of abuse and his play quite frankly left a little something to be desired for many parts of the season. I?m willing to stick by him however. I honestly believe that if he is given the starting spot next to Sol from July 1 and Wenger instills a new mindset in the team where defense is important, then Cygan will be successful. Will he be a superstar? Probably not, but I think he can be successful.

Oleg Luzhny ? Getting on in years, but can still perform as a dependable substitute fill-in at times.

Igors Stepanovs ? Nothing more than an emergency squad player.

Ryan Garry ? I was very impressed by him against Southampton at the end of the season. Looked assured on the ball and not out of place. He?s not going to replace Ashley Cole, but I feel good knowing he?s there.

Sebastian Svard, Justin Hoyte, Moritz Volz, Juan, Stathis Tavlaridis, Frank Simek ? We seem to have a whole crew of young defenders. Honestly, I can?t tell you much about these guys. I?ve seen all there names at one point or another. If finances are indeed tight, it?s possible that we might seem some of these players next season. I include Frank Simek not because I think he?ll be in the first squad next year, but because he has made some improvements, playing in the reserves at times this past year. Well done to our American boy!

Goalkeepers

For a while there, being a goalkeeper at Arsenal was like being the drummer for Spinal Tap. Shabaan and Warmuz both picked up injuries real quick. This is definitely a tricky area for Arsenal that needs to be addressed in one way or another.

David Seaman ? Old Safe Hands has done well for longer than any of us could have expected. I honestly thought he was done after the Double. The ?98 Double. But he has continued and I think we?ve been better with him than had he gone earlier. But now is the time to move on.

Stuart Taylor ? The heir apparent? I?m still not sure. I just don?t get the impression that he is on the same level as some other top flight ?keepers. Casillas at Real Madrid, Buffon in Italy, even Cudicini and Friedel in England. But I?m willing to give him the gloves and see what happens.

Rami Shabaan ? I?ve heard good things, he just never got a chance here. Maybe he will next season.

Graham Stack ? He?s apparently pretty good, but he?d really have to impress big time to get any shot next season.

So, I think that next year this area will still be our biggest question mark and our biggest area of need. Will youngsters fill in or do we need to make purchases? Probably a little of both. The biggest factor will be if Wenger can get this attacking side to be interested in defending as a team. If we can do that, it will take pressure off the defense which should help.